By Everson Luhanga
- Vusi Matlala and his co-accused are now facing additional charges of fraud and laundering R120,000 used in an alleged hit on Tebogo Thobejane.
- The NPA says they submitted fake invoices to cover up the money trail and mislead investigators.
Controversial businessman Vusi “Cat” Matlala is accused of trying to kill his ex-girlfriend — and now the state says he also tried to cover it up with fake paperwork and dirty money.
The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed on Friday that Matlala’s case has been postponed to 26 August to allow for its transfer to the Johannesburg High Court.
NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said two more dockets — from Pretoria West and Lyttelton — are being centralised into one case.
Matlala appeared in the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court alongside his wife Tsakani Matlala and co-accused Musa Kekana and Tiegi Floyd Mabusela. The four face charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud and defeating the ends of justice.
Dressed in a suit, a blue shirt and a purple tie, Matlala walked into the courtroom handcuffed with chains on his legs. He had his beard shaved. His wife wore a long-sleeved top, sunglasses and a weave that nearly covered her face. His other co-accused wore masks covering their faces.
The court was packed with a high media presence.
Mjonondwane said the charges stem from a shooting in October 2023 in which Matlala’s ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane, was sprayed with bullets while driving home from a nightclub in Sandton. “She was shot in the foot, and a female passenger suffered a spinal injury,” said Mjonondwane.
She said Matlala and his co-accused hired hitmen, laundered over R120,000 to fund the attack, and submitted a fake invoice to hide where the money came from. The court also dismissed a defence request to access parts of the docket.
“Matlala remains in custody after abandoning bail. His wife was granted R20,000 bail due to health issues. He is being held under maximum security at Kgosi Mampuru prison’s C-Max unit in Pretoria — the same section that houses notorious and convicted murderer Thabo Bester.
The case has drawn national attention due to Matlala’s alleged ties to the political elite and bosses in the police service. He landed a R360-million SAPS health tender, a deal whistleblower Babita Deokaran flagged before her assassination.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi recently accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of being linked to Matlala through dodgy dealings. Mchunu has denied knowing him.
Police also found a cellphone in Matlala’s prison cell during a surprise raid early this week, sparking an internal investigation into how he got it.
Despite the growing list of scandals, Matlala has evaded prison for years — until now.
Pictured above: Vusi ‘Cat’ Matlala and his co-accused in court.
Image source: Everson Luhanga
